If you are using a refrigerator in your garage, especially during cold months, you might run into problems keeping it at the right temperature. Standard refrigerators are made to operate in indoor conditions, so when temperatures drop below 45°F, they may stop cooling properly or even freeze up.
Installing a garage heater kit, like the 5303918301, can help solve this issue. It helps your refrigerator continue running smoothly in cold environments such as garages or basements without heating.
What a Refrigerator Garage Heater Kit Does
A refrigerator garage heater kit is an accessory for refrigerators placed in cold, unheated spaces. The kit contains a small heater that fits near the thermostat inside the control box. Its purpose is to warm the area around the thermostat slightly. This added warmth makes the thermostat read a higher temperature, which causes the compressor to turn on and keep the refrigerator working as expected.
Without this adjustment, the thermostat might not tell the fridge to run during cold temperatures. This can lead to spoiled food or items freezing in the fresh food compartment.
How the Heater Kit Works Inside Your Refrigerator
The heater kit does not warm the entire refrigerator. Instead, it adds just enough heat to the control box area where the thermostat is located. This allows the thermostat to detect a higher air temperature and activate the cooling cycle more regularly. Here’s what happens inside:
- A small heating element is placed near or wrapped around the thermostat
- This element raises the temperature slightly in the thermostat area
- The thermostat reads this as a signal to start the compressor
- The compressor keeps the fridge operating even when the surrounding air is very cold
- Food in both the fridge and freezer compartments stays within a more stable range
Who Should Use a Garage Heater Kit
A heater kit like the 5303918301 is helpful if:
- You live in a cold climate where winter temperatures often fall below 45°F
- You use a second refrigerator in your garage and want it to work year-round
- You have noticed freezing or unstable cooling in your garage refrigerator
- You want to avoid relocating or replacing the fridge due to cold weather
Some people only use the heater kit during the winter season, while others leave it installed throughout the year with no problems. It is a simple and low-cost way to support proper refrigerator function in cold spaces.
Benefits of Using a Heater Kit
A garage heater kit can offer several benefits:
- Helps the refrigerator continue working in garages or basements during winter
- Helps protect food and drinks from freezing or spoiling
- Saves money by extending the life of your existing refrigerator
- Easy to install with basic tools
What to Watch Out For
While heater kits are effective, there are some limitations to keep in mind:
- The kit is only compatible with refrigerators that use mechanical thermostats. Units with electronic sensors are not compatible
- The refrigerator may run more often in cold weather, which can increase energy use
- More frequent cycling could lead to quicker wear on the compressor and other parts, though this is a minor concern compared to freezing damage
Heater kits are not a complete solution for all cold-weather problems, but they provide a simple and effective way to improve refrigerator performance during winter.
Tools and Materials Needed
Have the following items ready before starting:
- Garage heater kit (model 5303918301)
- 1/4-inch nut driver
- Phillips screwdriver
Safety Guidelines for Installation
Working on a refrigerator involves handling electrical parts and small components. Follow these safety steps to avoid injury and prevent damage.
- Unplug the refrigerator or turn off the circuit breaker before starting any work
- Wait for the refrigerator to cool down if it was recently running
- Use a bright, well-lit space to see parts clearly
- Clear your workspace of clutter and keep children and pets away
- Do not work with wet hands or on wet surfaces
- Review the user manual for model-specific guidance or diagrams
- Use gentle pressure when handling parts to avoid breaking them
- Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges
- Avoid touching bare wires. Use tools with insulated handles if needed
- Wear safety glasses or a dust mask if working around dust, debris, or cleaning products
How to Install the Garage Heater Kit in a Refrigerator
Follow these steps to install garage heater kit 5303918301 and help your refrigerator work properly in colder spaces like garages.
Preparation
- Unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet.
- Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the four screws holding the control box to the cabinet.
- Unplug the connector to remove the control housing from the unit.
Heater Installation
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the defrost timer to the control box.
- Carefully pull back the defrost timer.
- Bend the heater into a U shape.
- Peel off the paper backing from the heater to expose the adhesive side.
- Align the heater holes with the defrost timer mounting pegs.
- Firmly press the heater against the control box, making sure it adheres fully.
Reconnecting the Components
- Place the defrost timer back into its position and secure it with screws.
- Disconnect the two leads attached to the cold control.
- Connect the orange lead to the matching orange lead, then reconnect it to the cold control.
- Connect the black lead to the matching black lead, then reconnect it to the cold control.
Final Steps
- Reconnect the main connector to the control housing.
- Reinstall the control box to the refrigerator cabinet using the four screws previously removed.
- Plug the refrigerator back into the power outlet.
- Allow several hours for the refrigerator to reach the appropriate temperature.
- Adjust the freezer and fresh food compartment settings to mid-position if required.
The heater operates continuously at a low level to support refrigerator functionality in cold environments. There’s no need to remove the heater, even if conditions become warmer.
Also Read: The Complete Guide: DIY Refrigerator Maintenance Made Easy
In Summary
Adding a garage heater kit like model 5303918301 is a smart step if your fridge is in an unheated space and winter temperatures tend to dip below normal operating ranges. Instead of struggling with frozen drinks or spoiled food, this simple add-on helps your appliance stay reliable through colder seasons.
While it’s not a full fix for every issue that comes with storing a fridge in the garage, it does address one of the most common problems, keeping the compressor active when the thermostat gets too cold to respond. If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to make your garage refrigerator more dependable all year round, this kit is a solid upgrade worth considering.